So much on his mind, Cale had to keep clearing his head to stay focused. It was not the people he feared rising up against his father but rather the army itself. They served him loyally, sure. And there were those that actually supported all of his laws but then there were those who sometimes even disobeyed the laws. They had several of the army flee after conceiving or refusing to kill someone they were ordered to. His father had become a tyrant and a monster, but it was still his father. He feared though, that the love for his father would in turn make him to be just like his father; in that protecting him, it would in turn corrupt him from the inside out.

He thought back to when the Elven law was first made, back when the first "wild" elf was discovered. He had been twelve and was running around the forest, playing with a dog his father had given him for his birthday. Something moved to his right and he stopped running and looked. A girl around his age was standing there, watching him; he would move and she would move. He did not know what she was but she was very pretty and he had a crush on her just from seeing her. Her soft blond hair and her electric blue eyes, so full of life with her smooth skin and even then, he liked elves, despite not knowing what they were or anything about them. A smile broke out on her face and she waved at him and he returned the wave. She took off running and he followed, playing a sort of tag but she was just a little more agile than him. She did not dress like the girls in the kingdom. She wore strange, tight pants and a tunic type top. She led him to a lake, still and silent, such a strange sight after the hectic life of the kingdom. She motioned for Cale to come to her and he did, speaking softly, in a language he did not understand but he was enthralled. He had never met anyone like her but she was amazing. She was his best friend and he was hers. They played every day for weeks until one day, his father found out. He went out to search for Cale one day when he missed a lesson with his trainer and found the two of them train fighting and was appalled to see his son beat by a girl. He stormed into the clearing where they were and grabbed his son by the arm. Cale fought, his father's grip hurting him slightly but the grip held. The girl attacked his father; a big mistake. His father shoved her back and she fell, hitting her head on a rock. Cale screamed and cried out, trying to go to his friend as blood pooled around her head but it was no use. After that, Cale had not been allowed to leave the castle for several years and while he was a prisoner in his own home, the elves were being hunted in theirs.

"Yo, Cale! Earth to Cale!" Eric spoke loudly, waving his hands in front of Cale's face, receiving a startled look from Cale.

Cale started, grabbing his weapon and readying himself for attack before realizing it was just Eric, "What? Was I asleep?"

Eric chuckled, putting an arm around Cale's shoulders and leaning on him, "Nah, just looked like you were deep in thought. You are such a bad guard, no offense. We're ready to move out. If you are that is...You feeling alright Mr. Cale-sir?"

Cale looked over at Eric and sniffed the air around him, "Eric...are you still drunk?"

"You bet your sweet ass I am." Eric gave a wide grin, "Best way to start any morning if you ask me. Come on love. We're off. Your little elf was up and about this morning. Weapons and all but everyone is fine. So is she but that is definitely beside the point. I never said that..." Eric's eyes shifted, looking around him before leaning closer to Cale, "Dude, there is something weird about that elf..."

"Come on Eric, let us go and find a way to sober you up." Cale ducked out from under Eric's arm, leading him toward camp. It was widely believed that Eric was interested in men but no one could prove a thing. He was careful to behave himself in the presence of anyone who would, or could, get him in trouble. The camp was packed up when Cale entered and what he saw troubled him greatly. The elf, Elassë had Titus against a tree, the point of his sword at his throat and had Araya held against her, a dagger to her throat. She looked edgy and volatile, "Eric, what happened??"

Eric shrugged a little, "Dunno. Wasn't here, was busy waking you up."

Cale sighed and let go of Eric who teetered dangerously for a moment before steadying himself. He walked in view of Elassë who dragged Araya with her to turn so that no one was behind her. Cale held up his hands, keeping Titus from doing anything to try and stop her. "Elassë? I am not going to hurt you."

Elassë nodded at the others, her eyes shifting between Sam and Caymen who were both ready to strike, and back to Cale, saying something in Elvish.

"They will not hurt you either. I give you my word. Just let Araya go, alright? Everyone, lower your weapons." Cale ordered and reluctantly, they did. He took his own weapon and slowly set it down on the ground, taking a step forward but quickly stepped back when Elassë increased the pressure of the dagger on Araya's throat, "Come on Lassë, I do not want to hurt you. I promise you everything will be fine. Just let them go."

Elassë hesitated for a moment, looking around again quickly, before removing the dagger and shoving Araya forward into Sam's arms. She then moved quick, moving the sword and dropping it, moving out of range of any potential attacks, keeping them all in front of her. She held her dagger out in front of her, as a sort of warning.

Cale stepped forward, moving closer and closer to Elassë, despite her warnings. He moved slowly, hands out, palms open, "I am not going to hurt you. Just hand me the dagger, please." Elassë shouted something, sounding almost panicked but not quite as she slashed with her dagger. The blade connected with Cale's palm and he drew back quickly, inhaling sharply, "Okay...that hurts." He waved off the others, moving forward once again. "I am unarmed. I will not hurt you but if you kill me, the others will not hesitate." He moved until he was close enough to touch the elf and slowly reached out to take her dagger which she released. He took the dagger and set it down, taking her hand and leading her to the other side of the camp to his horse, "Climb on. We have a long journey today and your injuries may take a toll on you."

Elassë pulled away from him and said something and by the way she stood, he realized she intended to walk. With a nod, Cale stated, "Offer will continue if you need it." He then walked over to the rest of the group, bandaging his hand as he did, "What happened?" They all began talking at once but quieted down as he held up his hand. "Titus, if you please."

"Well sir, we all saw her with her weapons and up walking around. Araya thought it would be a good idea to try and take her weapons from her. The little miss there, she drew her dagger and cut Araya and all hell broke loose. I drew my sword to distract her in hopes that Araya would take that moment to disarm her but the little miss is quick, despite being so injured. She disarmed me, much to my shame, and pinned me there with Araya against her. Not quite sure HOW that all happened but it did." Titus explained, sheathing his sword and running his hands through his thinning hair.

Cale sighed, looking at the others, "Is that true?"

Araya hung her head, holding her arm which had a sizable gash on it and nodded ever so slightly. She would have liked to tell a different story but they all knew that the truth had been told and Cale would believe Titus. "Didn't figure a prisoner should have weapons."

"She is not a prisoner. She is free to go when she pleases. Now before you all throw fits, remember that she has done nothing to us that we have not earned." Cale stated, "Now let us put this behind us and continue on our hunt."


With displeased grumbles of protest, the group gathered their bags and double checked the supplies in the trailer attached to the horse. They continued moving, the forests thickening until there was barely room to maneuver the cart through the foliage. They could all feel it; they were in the forbidden part of the forest, as named by Vyctor. Where day was little, light seemed to get swallowed up and the hunters became the hunted. Cale's father had strictly forbidden him from going to that part of the forest but he had always been curious as to WHY it was it so forbidden? "We can continue or we can turn back and go a different route home. Up to you guys."

"I will follow you guys to the ends of Hell and back." Eric said in a loud whisper, a headache developing as the alcohol faded. He took another drink from a bottle, trying to ease his headache with more mead.

Sam gave a nod of agreement which was followed by several others. Only Titus seemed hesitant, "This place is dangerous enough as it is but there is something darker and more ominous about it than normal it seems. I have been here twice before but it has never been this quiet. I will follow if you choose to continue but I would not recommend it."

"If you ask it, I will not continue." Cale stated and then watched as Elassë pushed passed him and continued into the darkness. The difference between the forbidden part of the forest and the forest his father owned was visible as well as audible. The forbidden forest was darker, quieter. The darkness was tangible, and frightening. However, seeing this elf continue forward as if nothing was wrong seemed to lighten his spirits a bit.

Titus sighed, "Let us go. I know you want to and will not be satisfied until you do." With that said, Titus stepped into the ensuing gloom, taking brave strides but ever alert.

The rest of the group followed Titus, ever curious, afraid and yet emboldened by the bravery of Titus. However, within a half hour of entering the forest, the group realized just how dangerous this darker part of the forest was. Stumbling around, Eric was having difficulty maneuvering through the dense forest. "Maybe I shouldn't drink this..." Eric, not paying attention and still under the effects of the alcohol, tripped and fell mid-sentence, land on a broken branch, impaling himself just to the right of his heart, "Oh...shit." His voice was raspy as he spoke but he did not seem to realize the seriousness of the situation. "Hey, Cale, did you hit me, man?" He gave a sputtering laugh, "This kind of hurts..." His smile gave way to a grimace of pain and he coughed, blood splattering on those closest to him. Cale quickly came to Eric's side, kneeling down.

"Don't talk Eric. Just relax. We'll have you fixed up shortly." Cale said, his voice wavering, betraying his words. He took one look at the wound and realized that there would be no way for Eric to live. Tears sprang to his eyes and he took Eric's hand.

Eric coughed up more blood, "Don't bullshit me Cale. I'm going to die, aren't I?" His eyes seemed unfocused and he seemed to look through Cale. "Shit, I thought I was going to be your best man at your wedding."

Cale could not speak, his throat closing up as he fought tears. His best friend was dying so suddenly in front of him because he fell. No, because Cale decided to go against his father's orders. His friend was dying because of him. And there was nothing he could do. How quickly things can change.

There was a commotion and some grunts before Elassë dropped to her knees beside Eric. Cale moved to stop her but not quickly enough. She pulled Eric free of the branch with more strength than they thought she had. Blood poured from the wound over Eric's throat and chest. Elassë shoved Cale before he could push her away and began speaking Elvish, touching Eric's wound with both hands then bringing her hands to her shoulder, repeatedly. Eric coughed and gagged on the blood rising in his throat, gasping for what little breaths he could. Within a mere minute, his wound had begun to close and a wound appeared on Elassë's right shoulder where she had placed her own hands multiple times. Eric gasped, coughing up what remaining blood was trapped in his throat and his eyes focused, first on Elassë, who was now bleeding down the front of her tunic, then on Cale who was now standing in shock and awe and finally resting on Titus with his sword poised high, about to bring it down but even his swing stopped. Elassë sat for a moment, looking dazed and weak, but then stood, moving a short distance away and clearing a bit of brush. She began an attempt at making a fire but working with only a half good arm, was causing it to be difficult. She looked up when someone grabbed the flint and dagger she had picked up and found Araya there.

"Let me help." Araya knelt down and with practiced hands, created a fire. "Want me to cauterize it?" When Elassë gave a nod, she set the blade of the dagger in the fire to heat while she helped Elassë move her top to show the wound. "I don't know what you did there, but we are all grateful for it. Eric is a good friend. Thanks and...Sorry about earlier." Without waiting for a response from her, Araya took the dagger and pressed it against the bleeding wound. This elicited a small cry which was stifled by Elassë's semi-good hand. "There, all done."

Elassë gave a nod of thanks, replacing her top and accepting the dagger with a small smile. She cleaned the weapon and placed it in the sheath where it belonged. She then put out the fire with sand and walked over to Eric who sat propped up against the trunk of a tree.

Eric looked up at her, his eyes holding a solemn sobriety, "Hey, thanks. I know you heard me talking bad about elves this morning, but I might have misjudged you. You, at the very least, don't seem too bad. Hey guys, help me stand."

"Don't you think you should rest?" Sam asked, stepping forward, brushing his hair out of his eyes as he did so.

Eric responded, "Don't you think you should cut that mop?" He gave a soft laugh, "Ow...Just help me up."

With a slight scowl, Sam pulled Eric to his feet and braced him before he fell back to the ground, and Cale came forward, pulling Eric into a hug, "I am so glad you are alive. And if you insist on continuing along, at least ride Meza. You lost a decent bit of blood. Although, I do think we should turn back. If this is any indication of how this trek will be, then we will all be dead by nightfall."

"No way, man. This is the most fun I've had in ages." Eric laughed, walking unsteadily over to Meza, watching him from about a foot away, "And I'm not riding that flea ridden beast. I don't intend to let a horse kill me after surviving this long."

Cale gave a huff, walking over and taking Meza's reigns, patting his neck gently. "Meza is a royal stallion, although you are right. He has been edgy since we arrived here."

Araya rolled her eyes, "Well, I for one will not be carrying you. Now can we stop sitting here? This place weirds me out and I don't want to stay still for too long." She was looking around, trying to discern shapes in the darker parts of the forest but with only the light from their torches, the shapes constantly morphed and changed, twisting and darkening ominously.

Elassë put a hand on Araya's arm, giving it a comforting squeeze before starting to walk through the forest, as though on an unseen path. The others hesitated a moment before following her. She seemed to know where she was going, and for now, that was the best they had. Even if they wanted to turn back, they had no knowledge of this forest, or even the direction they had come. The treetops loomed over them, making the darkness even more impenetrable. The only one who did not seem bothered by the darkness or even the forest itself was Elassë which disturbed and comforted them at the same time.

As dusk approached, causing the most minor of changes in the air, Elassë quickened her pace, leading them to a small clearing. They made camp but Elassë would not let them make a fire, taking any flint they tried to use. Without it, the air was cold, frightening and seemed unforgiving. "Why can't we have a fire?" Araya asked, huddling up against Sam for warmth and comfort.

Elassë shook her head, despite them not being able to see that simple act. She listened hard for what seemed like hours before placing the flint and dagger back into Araya's hands.

That simple action caused Araya to jump but she calmed quickly, feeling for the space they had cleared and placed wood in. Even with the moon high in the sky, nearly no light broke through the treetops. She started the fire, and it wasn't until it was comfortably alight and she was sitting next to it with Sam holding her, that she finally allowed herself to relax even slightly. Elassë would not let them cook anything, which Cale assume was because of the smells but Araya was fine with that, as long as that meant she was safe.

Not a single one of them slept that night, or the next but by the third night of being there, they managed at least some sleep. Their eyes had started to become accustomed to the penetrating darkness and despite seeing shapes, the fire generally held them at too far a distance to make out clearly. They were not allowed to cook during the night so they had to make due with previously cooked food or dry foods or wait until morning. On the fourth morning, just before the sun rose, the group awoke to the howling of some strange creature. It was not quite wolf like but sounded all around them, as though surrounded. Elassë waved them quiet, tilting her head this way and that, listening for any subtle signs of movement. Araya and Caymen, the other archer in the small group, fitted their bows and readied them for attack. Cale stood, drew his sword and faced the forest, his back to the fire. Caymen stood to Cale's left, ready to defend her prince with her life if need be. Behind them, they heard a yell of surprise and Caymen turned just in time to see Elassë lunge sideways with a bow aimed at Cale, or so she thought. She shot as Elassë shot and for a moment, it seemed time froze. Caymen's arrow struck Elassë between her ribs just below her right breast and the tip exited Elassë's back, piercing her lung and tearing her muscles. Elassë's arrow brushed past Cale, barely cutting him before it lodged itself in the chest of a small wolf-like creature. The creature which had aimed for the back of Cale's neck fell at his feet, foam seeping from its open mouth, its dead eyes holding a wild spirit. Caymen stared between the writhing elf she had shot and the dead creature the elf had shot.

Elassë could not breathe as pain exploded in her side. She lay there on the forest floor, the forest of her people. She lost focus as her eyesight began to dim and the people she had led there began to fade from her view.

Eric dropped to the ground next to her; a strange wave of emotions hit him as he watched Elassë. He was stricken by a pain of unknown origin but it made him cry out, tears streaming from his eyes. "Elassë...don't..." His voice broke and he draped himself over her convulsing body.

Araya opened her mouth to say something, closed it again, and walked over to Caymen, placing a hard slap across her cheek. Caymen started to say something in response but a sharp look from Cale silenced her.

Araya walked over to Eric, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Eric, there is nothing we can..." A sudden, warming light stopped her mid-sentence and she searched for the source, along with everyone else, including Eric. He looked up at the light, tear streaks washing away the dirt on his face.

Elassë turned her head, gasping for her last, rattling breaths, her blood pooling around her, mixing with the tears from her eyes. "Obere, Amian kiyran." Three words she managed to whisper before her eyesight faded into unconsciousness.